The transition to renewable energy is essential for Europe's green energy revolution, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This shift aims to move away from fossil fuels towards an energy system centered on renewable power sources. This not only includes the adoption of cleaner energy sources, but also means developing energy efficiency through technologies like energy storage and decarbonization. At its core, the energy transition seeks to transform the global energy system to renewables to reduce climate pressures, and with that combat climate change (1). The world’s ability to reach this goal — and achieve the Paris Agreement targets by 2050 — depends on the ability of the energy sector to transform. For that reason, the renewable energy transformation forms a key pillar in Europe’s green revolution (2). Nevertheless, this green shift requires extensive infrastructural developments, including wind farms, solar panel installations, and hydropower stations. While these large-scale projects aim to create a more sustainable future, they can pose challenges, especially when they impact their surrounding environments (3).

These concerns have spread throughout renewable energy projects worldwide. The question becomes, how can we ensure a green revolution through the energy transition while safeguarding environmental sites and ecosystems along the way?

The rise of renewable energy

In the last decades, global investments in renewable energy have reached an all-time high, surpassing countries' investments in fossil fuels (4). In the Netherlands alone, the share of renewable energy has quadrupled over the past decade (5, 6). This shift is largely driven by the Paris Agreement binding targets set by 196 Parties during an international treaty at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015 (7). These targets aim to limit the rising of the earth’s temperature to 1.5°C and accelerate large-scale renewable energy adoption by 2030, to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 (8, 9). Since renewable energy produces far fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs) than fossil fuel, they have become a key pillar of Europe’s climate strategy (10). A recent IEA report finds that the world is expected to add more than 5,500 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy capacity between 2024 and 2030 — almost three times the increase seen between 2017 and 2023. According to the report, this increase is driven not only by efforts to reduce emissions but also by favorable economic and supportive policies (11). Today, renewable energy is the most cost-effective and sustainable option for expanding power generation (12, 13).

Environmental concerns: a threat to nature and local sites?

Despite the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy, the rapid expansion of large-scale projects raise significant environmental concerns, for example on the region's biodiversity and the ecosystem living within them. The initial impacts stem from the construction of these sites, which often involve energy-intensive processes and land clearings, leading to habitat fragmentation (14). Once placed and operational, these projects can cause risks to wildlife, such as bird and bat collisions with wind turbines, disruption of marine ecosystems due to offshore wind noise and vibration (15), and habitat changes. Additionally, the disposal of end-of-life solar panels and batteries, containing harmful materials, present long-term environmental challenges (16).

One example of such a large-scale renewable project causing environmental controversy is the Glen Earrach pumped hydro storage in Loch Ness. This project was designed to expand energy storage for wind power. By moving water between reservoirs at different elevations, these power stations generate electricity when demand is high and wind supply is low. Despite its efficiency, concerns among residents and fisheries living in the area and experts are growing. The fluctuating water levels could disrupt the Loch’s ecosystem, affect salmon migration, and alter local landscapes. Hydropower, in this case, can interfere with fish migration and can create greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs. In addition, even though it is beyond the scope of this article, it is important to mention that such large hydropower stations can also impact cultural heritage. Loch Ness is home to a prehistoric crannog (a human-made island) that forms an archaeological site highly valued by inhabitants living in the region as well as tourists (17). Critics argue the new projects influence this image, posing threats to leisure cruising firms and threatening archaeological and tourist sites. Similarly, an example closer to home shows the impact of offshore windmills on inhabitants' scenic sea views.

The necessity of a rich biodiversity

Biodiversity is essential for life on Earth, forming the foundation for a healthy ecosystem that mitigates disruptions like diseases or natural disasters. It directly influences our society and economy. However, with the increasing rate of species extinction, this foundation is increasingly under threat. When nature is given space to flourish, we see whole communities can benefit from it, indicating that protecting ecosystems offers both ecological, economic, and social benefits. For example, the recovery of fish stocks within a protected area directly boosts the fishing industry but also promotes the sustainable use of natural resources. Furthermore, biodiversity forms natural buffers against natural disasters (18).

Finding common ground

Given the crucial role biodiversity plays in our societies, it becomes clear that efforts to protect them must be integrated into broader development plans, including the transition to renewable energy. In truth, however, no renewable energy pathway is entirely free from environmental or cultural impact, especially when deployed at the scale required for a green economy transition. Nevertheless, innovative solutions and careful planning offer an opportunity to balance energy development with heritage conservation. The first step is continuous research and assessment of the areas to understand ecological impacts and anticipate risks associated with them. Effective mitigation measures can help renewable energy projects operate in an ecologically friendly manner (19). To do so, every project should undertake detailed surveys before construction and monitor during and after implementation (20).

One example of such ongoing research and mitigation efforts is found in the implementation of the wind farm in the North Sea, where researchers are testing ways to reduce underwater noise pollution, generated through pile driving during the construction of offshore wind farms. This innovative technology has been proven effective in limiting the noise impact of the construction, minimizing harm to marine life (21). Additionally, natural climate buffers are being explored to support marine ecosystems (22). Similarly, solar farms in Germany and the U.S. incorporate wildflower meadows and pollinator habitats around solar farms (23). At Norway’s Smøla Wind Farm, after countless hours of research on the issue and bird behavior in wind power generation, blade-painting techniques are being tested to improve the visibility of turbines for birds, reducing collision risks. This study showed that painting one blade of a wind turbine rotor black resulted in 70% fewer collision bird victims (24). The province of Groningen, Energy company RWE, and Vattenfall are further building on this research by investigating its effects in the Netherlands, which is home to different bird species and has a landscape very different from the one in Norway. Furthermore, they investigated the visual impact and durability of the paint (25).

Besides research and mitigation, an essential part of renewable energy projects should be thoughtful planning, strategic site selection, and input from impacted communities (26, 27). Accurate scientific research is the engine for innovation in effective monitoring techniques and decision-making on biodiversity (28).

A robust evidence base on biochemical processes, built on continuous scientific research, environmental data, consistent protocols, and monitoring programs, combined with comprehensive assessment tools such as ecological impact studies and risk assessment, enables a more informed and transparent transition to a green economy that minimizes its negative impacts on biodiversity. These tools help to further understand ecosystems, identify potential risks to biodiversity early on, and assess possibilities within projects to minimize the negative impacts of renewable energy expansion (29). Furthermore, they investigate potential benefits that may accrue from sensible planning (30). In this context, public-private collaboration plays a crucial role in creating these tools. An example of a successful collaboration is the THRIVE tool, developed in collaboration with Biodiversity Center Naturalis and advisory firm KPMG, which enables investors and companies to quantify biodiversity impact to incorporate this into their decision-making (31).

The energy transition holds immense potential for reducing emissions and creating a more sustainable relationship between energy production and nature. However, its sustainable success depends on careful research, planning, mitigation efforts, and ongoing assessment. By making the right choices now, responsibly executing the green revolution has the power to serve both people and the planet (32). Shall we?

This article is part of The Outside World, ftrprf’s very own research center.

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